E's Dirt

Coaches are always faced with choices. You can take the familiar route and do what you have always done, following the crowd and yielding to conventional wisdom. It’s easy, and there’s no risk involved—unless you consider long-term stagnation a risk.

My approach to endurance run training is a bit different. I use conventional wisdom as a starting point and proceed from there to develop innovative training programs for runners who want to turn their potential into desired results.

But my approach to training is more than just change for the sake of change. Being innovative keeps me alert and involved with the latest research and applications of scientific training principles.
For me, the goal is to develop complete athletes, ready to perform up to their potential and exceed their expectations. My approach to training has been featured in the New York Times best seller Born To Run, Men’s Health, Esquire, Men’s Journal and Ski Magazine; specific workouts have been featured on ESPN’s Cold Pizza.

As the former Director of Fitness at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, I’m a certified Functional Training Specialist, a Certified Sports Hypnotist, and hold coaching certifications from both USA Triathlon and USA Cycling.

Eric Orton's Blog

With Teton National Park 30 minutes up the road from my house, this usually gets most of my attention for running. But this Fall I decided to change things up and look to create some run projects that are even closer to home and focus on exploring more vertical gain, peaks, and off-trail ridge line link ups (…

I stood high on this peak during the Fall season in the Tetons, enjoying the reward of magnificent views that come from 6,000+ feet of running and climbing. I took the below winter photo during a ten mile run. These two photos grasp the beauty of the Tetons in different ways, BUT also show the SAME peak in…

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Joss Naylor is a real inspiration. Still extremely active at 82 years old. Last year he did a 30 mile challenge with 6000ft of climbing in the Lake District. He's always out and about supporting fell runners of all abilities taking on their own challenges.

Thanks Eric, so stoked that ive found your book and website!! ..Yes was a really awesome race, looking forward to the 90th Anniversary edition this year! Not sure if I have time though to change my form before the race (race date 29th May 2015) but cant wait to fully convert to Forefoot striking (was thinking about starting on the exercises in the mean time though and then focusing on converting to forefoot striking after Comrades...good idea/bad idea? any advise you can offer would be awesome!!)

Hello Mr Orton. My name is Joe Cruz from Albuquerque NM. I have read Born to run and now I've started your book The Cool Impossible. I've reached the start of your training regiment in the book. I purchased the board bundle pack today. I am excited to get started ! I truly believe in what you say about having your muscles work together. I have become more aware of my body considering my last year and half when I tore my meniscus and pcl. My recovery has forced me to listen to my body and pay close attention to what I can take. I have a couple of questions but I think I know the answer. First is , with my surgery in mind. My recovery has gone well but now the leg that didn't have the operation has been compensating for so long it is starting to give trouble. I am off balance and I believe I just need to build my base witch your program will help me ! I am excited:). Is there something you might add ? Also I have severe plantars fasciitis. I have not read the entire book witch I am sure you explain. So I am sorry if you do. I've tried everything to rid me of this problem. Will strengthening my feet with your program get rid of it all together ? Is their something else you might add to the program ?
Thank you so much for your knowledge of running and simplifying the run. Work smarter not harder !;) It is an honor to be writing you.
Joseph Cruz.